Notes
from City HallFall is just around the corner and that means school is starting, our
crews are trying to get a few projects completed before the frost sets
in, budget time for the City and elections for Councilmen. Our budget,
approved after the Public Hearing Tuesday night, includes a 3% increase
in property tax rates which nets the City roughly $4,500, and a $3.00 monthly
assessment on each sewer hookup that will go into a dedicated fund for
collection system improvements. This fund will be similar to the
dedicated fund in the water department that will allow us to start chipping
away at the collection system repairs that we can do in-house. This
is the most economical way to make improvements to these two systems.
There will be 3 Council positions up for election this fall with two
of the incumbents not seeking another term. With the progress we
have been making around town in the various departments, I am really hoping
to keep the momentum going. Being on the Council takes a little more
than just attending a monthly meeting; it means taking an interest in your
department and being proactive about its’ operation. The Councilors
going off of the Board have done this very well and will be difficult to
replace. I hope that we can find a few people that care about the
Community and how we can continue to improve it that would be willing to
step forward and work with us. Please contact me if you are interested
and I will answer any questions you may have or offer any assistance you
may need. It is truly rewarding when things move forward and people’s
needs are being met. We would like to keep that as a tradition in
the Community.
And speaking of keeping the tradition going, our own Chief of Police
Terry Cochran is doing his share. In another life he is Sergeant
First Class Cochran who, you’ll recall, returned home last Christmas from
a tour in Kuwait. He is currently the Senior Military Fire Officer
for the Yakima Training Center, WA. On Thursday, he was summoned
to the base at Fort Lewis, WA and honored with the 2004 Department of Defense
Military Fire Officer of the Year award. The entirety of the citation
document describes an individual who’s “dedication to duty is exemplary”
and “can always be counted on to get the job done.” We commend Sergeant
Cochran on his accomplishments and thank him for his service to our country
and to our community.
Respectfully, Denis B. Duman, Mayor